There is something to be said for a wedding that, from the start, is going to be incredible. That’s how I felt walking into the Airbnb where Jana was getting ready for her big day. The Airbnb is above Cleo and Leo on Elm Street in North Lawrence, and let me tell you… It was a whole vibe! Fresh baked goods from Cleo and Leo, flowing champagne, a die-hard wedding party, and a stunning riverfront view meant this North Lawrence wedding was going to start off with a bang.

There’s nothing better for my design-happy heart than to get to shoot in such a perfect spot in this Airbnb. It was modern and open, with so many great spots to capture moments in the day. If you’re looking for ideas for your wedding day, I can’t say enough about this fantastic spot. I had so many open and airy spots to capture every moment. The lighting was perfect everywhere in the home.

Moments before the wedding

The couple made sure everything was so convenient for their wedding. They booked Venue 1235 for their wedding, which is a modern event space in North Lawrence that is perfect for any number of events. With so many groomsmen and attendants, we had a tight squeeze fitting into the wedding suite, but it was such an amazing spot for everyone to get ready and relax ahead of the wedding. And I knew from the groomsmens’ interactions that this was going to be a fun, fun, fun wedding.

We gathered back at the Airbnb for first looks, and while we had a minor hiccup that almost led to my assistant needing to scale a wall to unlock a door, we survived and it was so worth it! Jana termed the phrase, “Give me my sticks,” where she grabbed Q-tips to hold off tears to keep her makeup from running. Even Cornelius embraced it.

The wedding begins

There have been times in my professional photography life where the wedding starts slightly off schedule. I work really hard to keep things on track, and sometimes we just have to pad the timeline to make sure things go off without a hitch. The good news is that a wedding will never start until the bride and groom are ready. We were a little stressed getting Jana out there on time. But it happened! And since Jana and Cornelius had been dating since high school, we knew we wanted to get this North Lawrence wedding moving so we could head into the celebration.

I only get one chance to capture the kiss. I think it’s one of the most important things I’ll capture during the day. It’s why I always ask brides and grooms to make sure people are keeping their hands and phones out of the aisles. You never want to be the reason a shot isn’t captured. And then, it’s official! Their happily ever after begins.

Heading into portrait time

I typically capture family photos and bridal party photos right after the wedding. It’s easy to grab everyone and get them done once the stress of making sure the wedding is successful is over. I had such a great time with Cornelius’ groomsmen. They were really the life of the party. Hot tip: if you’ve got a rowdy bunch of friends, your wedding is going to be AMAZING!

If you have a brides-dude or a grooms-gal, you aren’t alone. There are more and more people these days who are making sure their attendants are the ones they need at their sides. For Jana, it was her brother, who was obviously one of her biggest supporters.

I really love finding great spots close to the wedding for couples’ portraits. At Venue 1235, they have a beautiful open yard with lighting that comes up as the sun goes down.

We captured their portraits as the final must-have shots for their North Lawrence wedding. I love scouting locations and looking for great spots that the couple will find unforgettable.

The party begins

When the party starts, I’m still working. I always focus on capturing moments during speeches and first dances. They are always filled with happy tears, laughter, and tons of fun. The more fun you have, the better the photos will be. It helps to have a phenomenal DJ and a fantastic group of friends who are looking to tear it up on the dance floor. Jana and Cornelius had one of the best parties I’ve seen.

Get in touch

If you’re getting married, I’d love to talk! I’m already booking for 2026, so you’ll want to get on my timeline early. My wedding packages can come with an engagement session, a sexy boudoir session, and a full day of wedding coverage. Let’s get you on my books! xoxo